Hall of Famer Bill Fitch, who led Boston Celtics to NBA title in 1981, dies at 89

By Steve Almasy, CNN

Updated 0528 GMT (1328 HKT) February 4, 2022

Bill Fitch was head coach of the Boston Celtics when they won the NBA title in 1981.

(CNN)The basketball world is mourning the death of Bill Fitch, the legendary Hall of Fame NBA head coach who won the NBA Finals in 1981 with the Boston Celtics. He was 89.

«Bill served 25 seasons as an NBA head coach and mentored countless players and coaches,» the NBA said in a tweet. «Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.»Fitch won 944 regular-season games in his career, 11th all-time among coaches. The National Basketball Coaches Association said, «The NBCA joins the NBA family in mourning the passing of longtime Coach, Bill Fitch. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Fitch family during this very difficult time.»NBCA president and Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlislesaid in a statement, «A great coach, a great man, and a great builder of franchises. He will be missed.»Read MoreThe Washington Post reported that, according to Carlisle, Fitch's daughter Marcy Ann Coville said he had died in Conroe, Texas.Photos: People we've lost in 2022Photos: People we've lost in 2022The basketball world is mourning the death of Bill Fitch, the legendary Hall of Fame NBA head coach who won the NBA Finals in 1981 with the Boston Celtics. He was 89.Hide Caption1 of 30Photos: People we've lost in 2022Italian cinema star Monica Vitti died Wednesday, February 2, at the age of 90, according to Italian politician and family friend Walter Veltroni. Vitti was well-known for her work with some of Italy and Europe's most influential filmmakers throughout the 1960s and 1970s.Hide Caption2 of 30Photos: People we've lost in 2022Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst died Sunday,